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RICHMOND, Va. – Longwood senior captain Samantha Phillips scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the second half to cap a comeback win over American in the Lancers' season opener Friday afternoon at Reeves Field.
 
With the score tied 1-1 in the 64th minute, Phillips was sent to take a penalty kick that resulted from an American handball in the box. She drilled the shot past Eagles goalkeeper Sarah Dejak to put Longwood on top, and the Lancers made the lead stand until the final whistle.
 
Phillips' game-winner capped a grueling come-from-behind effort in which the Lancers (1-0) fell behind 1-0 just 14:47 into the game after American's Michaela Cowgill found the back of the net from 30 yards out. American would take 13 more shots over the next 75 minutes of play, though the Lancers forced most of those from a distance. It was easy work for goalkeeper Hailey Machen (1-0), who saved four of Americans five shots on goal.
 
"We weathered the storm in the first half and fought hard to get that goal back," said Longwood head coach Todd Dyer. "[Junior forward Lilly] Payne changed the game when she came on and did a great job of getting behind their back line. She delieverd a quality ball to [Teresa] Fruchterman, who slotted it in on the near post to the keeper's left."
 
Fruchterman first career goal tied the game at 1-1 at the 37:48 mark with a poke off Payne's pass. The milestone goal came on the first shot of the Annandale, Va., native's career.
 
From there, Longwood maintained control of the game leading into the second half before Phillips put the Lancers ahead 2-1 at 63:45. 
 
"In the second half, we were a lot better in keeping the ball and creating some chances," Dyer said. "It paid off as we earned a PK that Sam converted convincingly."
 
Phillips' penalty kick was set up by a penalty against American defender Kirsten Eriksen. The game-winning PK came on the fourth shot of the game for the Chesapeake, Va., product.
 
"The bottom line is we won our first game, we did it on the road and we came from behind to do it. It was definitely a blue collar effort against a tough American team."
 
The Lancers will now prepare for the debut in front of the Longwood faithful, as Richmond comes to Farmville, Va., this Sunday, Aug. 24, for a home game beginning at 6 p.m. Leading up to the game will be Longwood's annual Greatest Athletics March Ever (G.A.M.E.), which is open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. at Lankford Square.

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